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==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
* Three former members of [[British rock]] group [[The Darkness (band)|The Darkness]] (Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins and Ed Poullan) were former pupils at the school.
* Three former members of [[British rock]] group [[The Darkness (band)|The Darkness]] (Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins and Ed Poullan) were former pupils at the school. They later returned to the school to open the new music wing in 2004.
* Young singer [[Lil' Chris]], who featured in the series of [[Rock School]] that was filmed at the school, went on to release two chart-topping albums and four smash singles.
* Young singer [[Lil' Chris]], who featured in the series of [[Rock School]] that was filmed at the school, went on to release two chart-topping albums and four smash singles.
* International Boxing Star and ''[[Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack]]'' housemate [[Anthony Ogogo]] was a former pupil of the school. The headteacher of the time, John Clinton, once quoted that "Ogogo is a fantastic pupil, and i can see him going on to do great things".
* International Boxing Star and ''[[Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack]]'' housemate [[Anthony Ogogo]] was a former pupil of the school. The headteacher of the time, John Clinton, once quoted that "Ogogo is a fantastic pupil, and i can see him going on to do great things".
* Alternative/punk band [[Expect Kaos!]], who's debut live tour is already sold out, are currently pupils at the school. The five-piece band consists of Harley Wright, Callum Read, Josh Bowerman, Bradley Challis and Grant Lewin.
* Alternative/punk band Expect Kaos!, who's debut live tour is already sold out, are currently pupils at the school. The five-piece band consists of Harley Wright, Callum Read, Josh Bowerman, Bradley Challis and Grant Lewin.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 09:33, 6 August 2010

Kirkley Community High School
File:Kirkley high school logo.png
Address
Kirkley Run

Lowestoft
,
Suffolk
,
NR33 0UQ

England
Information
TypeComprehensive
MottoWorking As Three, Living As One (As Of September 2010)
Established1938
Local authoritySuffolk
SpecialistSports College
OfstedReports
HeadteacherMr. Richard Pickard[1]
Deputy HeadMr. John Shanahan
GenderCoeducational
Age13 to 18
Enrollment1358 [2]
HousesSouth, East & West (As Of September 2010)
Colour(s)Blue, Purple, Green & Black (As Of September 2010)
PublicationKirkley Notes
Websitehttp://www.kirkleyhigh.com/

Kirkley Community High School is a comprehensive school located in the Kirkley district of Lowestoft, Suffolk, England.

Gene Simmons' Rock School

In Autumn 2005, the second series of Channel 4's "Gene Simmons' Rock School" was filmed at the school. Auditions were held, and after much deliberation, 11 students were picked and were subsequently taught the basics of rock music by KISS bassist Gene Simmons. Simmons' eventually selected five of the students to perform as a rock group. The show culminated with the group opening for Judas Priest and Anthrax in front of 2,300 fans in LA.[3] The lead singer of the band, Lil' Chris, was signed to RCA records.[4] Five of the girls featured on the show went on to form a band called The Upraw; three of the founder members of the band have since quit.[5]

K-Play Radio

The school currently has a non-profit, streaming internet radio station. Entitled "K-Play Radio", the station currently broadcasts a wide range of Rock, Indie and UK Chart Music.[6] The station was found in 2005, with initial funding coming from Adnams Brewery LTD., who are currently based in Southwold. When originally opened by TV personality Helen McDermott in late 2007, the station was located in V11, a newly-built classroom on the first floor of the school. However, in June 2008, it was relocated to the KITE Media Centre, a newly-built centre located on the exterior grounds of the school.

KITE Media Centre

The KITE Media Centre is a state-of-the-art design and technology centre, equipped with a multi-media production studio, TV, Radio and Video workshops, a community information centre and a wireless internet connection, that is located on the exterior grounds of the school. The centre was built and opened on the site in late 2007. The centre itself also provides facilities for use with the Media Studies GCSE course that is currently on offer at the school. The centre was given inital funding by school govenors, however, has recently been granted £20,000 from the EU.[7]

Sixth Form Triangle

Kirkley High School is currently one of only three comprehensive schools in the Lowestoft area to offer Sixth Form education. The school offers a wide range of courses for pupils aged between 16 and 19, working with two other partnership schools in the area - Benjamin Britten High School and The Denes High School. However, due to the changes being made in the Tier system in the local area by Suffolk County Council, Sixth Form education will no longer be offered by the school as of September 2010. Students will temporarily be taught at Benjamin Britten High School and The Denes High School, until the opening of the North Lowestoft Sixth Form College in Summer 2011.

School Lunch System

In 2007, the school introduced a fingerprinting system for school lunches, allowing pupils to avoid paying cash at the till and having to carry money around with them. Parents are also able to send a cheque to the school which can be entered directly onto the cash system.[8] In the Summer of 2010, the school introduced the nationwide 'Meal Deal' scheme, allowing pupils to enjoy a wide range of healthy, balanced foods for just £2.00 per meal. This entitles each pupil to a main course and a dessert, as well as a drink or side of their choice.

School 'House' System

In 2002, the school introduced the 'house system'. The school is divided up into six houses, allowing staff and pupils to be allocated a particular house, of which the name would appear on the pupil's polo shirt. It was decided by the senior management team that the houses would be based on the names of famous ships. From 2002 to 2010, each house was as follows:

  • Valiant - Head Of House: Mr G. Mutimer - Colour: Green
  • Achilles - Head Of House: Mr C. Fance - Colour: Gold
  • Providence - Head Of House: Mrs K. Smith - Colour: Purple
  • Excelsior - Head Of House: Mrs S. Collis - Colour: Yellow
  • Discovery - Head Of House: Ms K. Darcey - Colour: Blue
  • Invincible - Head Of House: Mrs H. Coleman - Colour: White

However, in September 2010, the house system was eliminated to make way for an all new '3 Schools' system, in which pupils are divided into three areas of the school, to allow for a better education and less distance to travel to lessons. The current system is as follows:

  • West School - Head Of School: Mrs E. Tozer - Colour: Purple
  • South School - Head Of School: Ms. C Rodden - Colour: Blue
  • East School - Head Of School: Mrs L. Mayes - Colour: Green

Ofsted & Special Measures

In May 2009, following an Ofsted inspection of the school, it was decided that the school was to be placed into special measures, as the learning of the pupils was inadequate. [9] In June 2009, due an amounting debt of £500,000, 11 teaching posts were threatened with redundancy.[10]. In July 2010, it was announced that the school had been taking off special measures due to the announcement of the upcoming '3 Schools' system, and better behaviour observed in lessons.

Notable alumni

  • Three former members of British rock group The Darkness (Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins and Ed Poullan) were former pupils at the school. They later returned to the school to open the new music wing in 2004.
  • Young singer Lil' Chris, who featured in the series of Rock School that was filmed at the school, went on to release two chart-topping albums and four smash singles.
  • International Boxing Star and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack housemate Anthony Ogogo was a former pupil of the school. The headteacher of the time, John Clinton, once quoted that "Ogogo is a fantastic pupil, and i can see him going on to do great things".
  • Alternative/punk band Expect Kaos!, who's debut live tour is already sold out, are currently pupils at the school. The five-piece band consists of Harley Wright, Callum Read, Josh Bowerman, Bradley Challis and Grant Lewin.

References

  1. ^ "Appointment of New Headteacher". Kirkley Notes. April 2008.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ channel4.com - Rock School
  4. ^ RCA Label Group (UK) | Lil' Chris
  5. ^ http://www.theupraw.co.uk/news.php?full=20061130200027&ex=
  6. ^ "K Play Radio - Playing The Freshest Music for Kirkley & The Community". www.kplayradio.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  7. ^ KITE Media Centre
  8. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6240498.stm
  9. ^ http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/content/lowestoftjournal/news/story.aspx?brand=LOWOnline&category=NEWS&tBrand=lowonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED21%20May%202009%2007%3A57%3A13%3A173
  10. ^ Union hits out at Kirkley job cuts plan, Lowestoft Journal, 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
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